A Date to Beauty and the Beast

My Mom can be very easy to buy for or she can be very difficult! For her birthday this year I wanted to get her something that would be really special. We got her alot of "stuff" for Christmas so I didn't want to repeat that for her birthday. It just so happened that the touring Broadway musical of Beauty & the Beast was coming to Amarillo in January and I immediately thought that's it... that is the perfect gift for her!! Beauty & the Beast was always my Mom's favorite Disney movie and I just knew she would love seeing it live. I texted Drew right away to share my idea and he to my surprise said he thought it was a great idea and would want to go with us. Now Drew has NEVER expressed any interest in live theatre, much less a musical, much much less a kids movie recreated for the stage but he absolutely Adores my Mom and wanted to partake in this with her and I! He absolutely melts my heart again and again!

We gave her the tickets for her birthday and I don't think she quite realized what they were for. It didn't help that I was so busy crying I couldn't explain it to her at all. The show was actually about a week and a half after her birthday so the hype died down quite a bit from giving her the present. The night before last I was over having dinner with Mom and Nana and asked Mom is she was excited about going to the show on the following night, in her clear as mud blunt way she said "No, not really." I looked at her completely shocked! Do you know I was the one that gave you the tickets?! Do you know how hard I worked on finding you a great gift?! But you can’t argue with the truth, or Alzheimer’s so that was that.  I worried the entire day of the show about if she would have a good time or not. Drew and I picked her up last night to find her wearing a cute new top she got for her birthday and her hair and makeup all done. She looked so pretty. To my relief she was a little more excited. We took her to eat at a restaurant downtown and close to the venue. When we got in to the show there was more and more excitement coming. She was worried as usual about me and if I was feeling ok. By the end of the first half she was singing along with the songs and I knew she was having a good time. True to Molly form by the end of the last act she was crying and I knew the night was a success!

It was so special for us to get to take her out and treat her to a different evening than she is used too! A night I will always remember…. Just the three of us! I cried on the way home, missing and yearning for her old self. I tried to explain to Drew that sometimes I truly feel like my heart could explode with the love I have for her. That I just want her to know that I love her that much and never doubt it!!

Honeymoon!

 (Our First steps onto land in Jamaica!)

I had never had a real vacation I realized until embarking on our honeymoon!

A time to sleep whenever I wanted, eat with abandon and be served drinks galore... not to mention getting to spend a week with the man who makes my heart melt.

Needless to say our Honeymoon was perfection! We learned a few lessons early on, such as Nair on a man is not a good idea and regardless of being in paradise sunscreen is not optional, it is a must. Nothing though, could have shattered our happiness and need for relaxation!

We took our honeymoon trip to Sandal's Grand Riviera Resort in Ochos, Rios Jamaica. All inclusive. Incredible beach and moutain views. Private Pool. Butler Service. Restaurants galore. Paradise!

We spent the first day laying out on the beach, I in my new cute swimsuit and accessories, my husband in his tshirt and swimtrunks because I gave him a chemical burn that morning on his back. We sipped on Bob Marleys and Rum and Cokes while listening to the waves crash into the beach. There is something about being that close to water and peaceful surroundings that made my eyes close and as my new husband people watched I snoozed on the beach. We eventually moved to another little cove sheltered by trees to continue our relaxation before attempting our hand at a few water sports. The water was the perfect temperature. We gave a shot at sailing a few times with our Jamaican captain yelling out tips and directions to Drew. Eventually we made our way to the "secret pool" to spend some time in fresh water by the bar.

 

Our Butler's had made reservations for us at different restaurants each night. It wasn't until the 3rd night that we realized we could hit up the sushi bar before going to our dinner. We had dinner on the dock, on the roof, on the beach, and overlooking the pool. Although the meals always were tasty they never quite hit the same note as food back home. We were convinced after the busride to the resort that the "beef" we were eating was actually goat or horse. That didn't stop us from ordering midnight snacks of hamburgers though.

I was utterly spoiled while on vacation. I would wake in the morning after being sweetly woken by Drew to find room service had already delivered the breakfast he had ordered for us. We would eat and drink some ridiculously delicious coffee and mimosas before taking a dip in our private pool and eventually venturing down to the beach for the rest of the day. An afternoon nap before preparing for dinner was the perfect ending to a day of relaxation.

My favorite day on our honeymoon was also our last. We had reserved a private cabana on a secluded part of the beach with butler service all day. When we got there in the morning it was raining, the only rain we saw the whole time. We snuggled in on our cabana bed and watched the rain hit the ocean. Our sweet butler kept our drinks refilled and the food coming throughout the day. We would take breaks to swim out to a landing in the ocean where we pinch ourselves for the incredible vacation we were experiencing. That afternoon we recieved massages in our cabana as if life couldn't get any more perfect.

That week was one I am so grateful for. To have the chance to truly escape reality with my new husband and just enjoy one another. When Drew puts on the same cologne he wore on the honeymoon I am instantly taken back to Jamaica and our incredible week!

 (In the airport in Miami headed home from our amazing week)

Wedding Day 9: The Cake

If you know me at all then you know I only like Chocolate Cake. Therefore our wedding cake was chocolate cake with chocolate icing. Just as I had always dreamed and just the same as I like my birthday cakes. When Aunt Tammy and I went to order the cake and I requested chocolate/chocolate the baker looked at me like I was a little nuts.

We opted for a two tier cake for our traditional cake cutting but served a Fudge Chocolate Cake and  Carrot Cake to guests. All of which was transported in our u-haul with us from Amarillo.

When Drew and I went to do the traditional cutting of the cake somehow we managed to break the knife and had an "Uh Ho" moment for guests to witness. Luckily my quick thinking husband managed to use the blade to get us a little piece to feed one another.

The only glitch of the entire wedding came at the time to serve cake to our guests. We had instructed for the Chocolate Fudge and Carrot cakes to be altered amongst the guests with no one getting the wedding cake. I quickly saw my attendants being served wedding cake and gave Aunt Tammy a look of what is happening. She quickly ran over to see the error on behalf of the servers and alerted the management on staff. Turns out someone, our wedding planner, forgot to tell them to set our 8 boxes of cake out of the freezer to thaw so they could be served. Guests didn't quite know there was a problem until an announcement was made about the delay. Although the cakes were served colder and a little more frozen than we had intended everyone still enjoyed themselves.

We didn't get to eat any cake during the reception as I was getting more and more uncomfortable in my corset dress. We were both ready to leave the excitement of our guests and relax as newlyweds. We had a beautiful sparkler exit where for some reason I decided to carry my train over my shoulder and my new husband lent me his jacket to weather the cold as we ran the 50 feet to our honeymoon suite. On our way out we asked Aunt Tammy if she could send us some cake over! Thankfully she did and we snacked away on chocolate cake and champagne!

Wedding Day 8: Reception

I wanted a very unique and different feeling for our reception. I knew that with a destination wedding we would have fewer guests than if we had an in town wedding. Due to this I didn't want the traditional round table set up with everyone spread out but instead had in mind to do a long banquet table. Going into wedding weekend the plan was to have a T table with Drew and I and our attendants at the top of the T and our guests seated along the trunk. Once we got into the room and set up the table it felt to cramped so we moved the top of the T to the side which I ended up enjoying much better. We were able to overlook all of our guests and be more accessible for mingling.

My decor for the wedding was romantic vintage. I wanted soft colors with flowers being the key to every centerpiece. Thank the good Lord for Hobby Lobby which is where we found the centerpiece decorations. I surprised myself with the amount of "light pink" that was used throughout the wedding. I also wanted candles galore throughout the reception. I choose to go with a little bit of a bird theme as well in using vintage bird cages to decorate with and bird's nests for seat place card holders. We used candy eggs to designate whether the guest had chosen chicken or beef for their entree.

 

The meal at the reception was something I dreamt of for months before the wedding. We had gone down before for a tasting and loved everything they had! I choose to do a 4 course plated dinner for the guest since there would be no dancing to take time during the evening this was a great way to slow the night down and keep everyone occupied.  We started the meal with a Lobster Bisque soup... to DIE FOR! Followed by a shrimp prosciutto relish salad. For the main course guest choose between Grilled Angus Tenderloin, Wild Mushroom Pancetta compote, Asiago Mashed Potatoes and Port Jus or  Grilled Range Chicken, Oven Roasted Yukon Gold Potatoes with Wild Mushroom Ragout. Drew and I each choose a different entree so we could nibble off each other's.

Throughout the evening we had guitarist Roberto Capocci play some traditional Native music to entertain guests.

 

Upon the changing of each course we had friends and family stand to give toast in recognition of Drew and I. Some were planned, some were spontaneous but all were precious and meant something to the two of us. These moments truly made the night that much sweeter.

When toasts were not being given and we had finished our food Drew and I were able to make our way around the ballroom speaking with each guest and Thanking them for making the trip to attend our wedding. This was one thing that I really wanted to make sure we were able to do. We had people come from all over to attend our wedding and the least we could to was thank them for their support. I was able to catch up with friends I hadn't seen in years and meet some of Drew's family during these moments. I didn't want to look back at the reception and wished we had talked to someone or spent more time with this person so we made that priority.

36 weeks

It is so hard to believe that we are 36 weeks pregnant today! 

Everett's movements are becoming less drastic and usually occur in the same areas. I am sure this is due to his size growing at a rapid pace now. He has discovered some room off to the right side of my body and I am feeling waves of movement there now as he tries to stretch out. I have frequently been waking up at 2:45-3am each night and as my mind begins to run through the lists in my head sleep becomes an absent luxury. So I normally get up and head into the living room where Everett decides this means it's playtime and I feel his heaviest movements all day. I am beginning to think this is preparation for the weeks to come. 

His nursery is nearly complete. I am lacking a few final touches to feel as though it is completely done. And I am so excited for his baby shower this weekend ! I have already seen a few precious gifts purchased for him and am overwhelmed by the love this sweet boy of ours will be wrapped up in. 

 

We have a Dr. appointment today, back with our Dr. who has been out on her own maternity leave, and we will be starting the every week regiment now.

 

So close. Very anxious and completely nervous knowing that he could really decide to come at anytime now.

 

Yesterday as I was getting a pedicure with my Mom the lady beside me couldn't help but share in the delight of our upcoming arrival and talk about her own first grandchild coming in May. There is just something about babies that brings people together.

Memories of a special lady on my birthday

(Birthday flowers sent to me from my precious husband who knows Peonies are my most favorite!)

There are some people who touch your life at a young age and you carry them in a very special place in your heart for the rest of time.

For me one of those people was Polly Hilbert. I knew Polly through church at Highland in Abilene as I was growing up. She was The precious outspoken "grandmother" of the church who dealt out hugs like they were candy. I have a picture of Polly and I together outside the church after my 5th grade graduation ceremony of some kind. I was so proud to have that picture of the two of us together, both in our summer hats. After moving back to Abilene in middle school I befriended Whitney, Polly's granddaughter and was accepted into the Hilbert family. The biggest plus of this was then getting to call Polly "Mimi" as her grandchildren did.

From a the time I was in elementary school I have looked up to Polly as a Christian Mentor. She always reminded me so much of my Grandy in the way her evangelicalism was never outshone by anything. She never met a stranger and always spoke of her saviour within the first few minutes of conversation. She loved her family fiercely and was always there for a lost soul in need. I can think of the countless times she opened her home up to a person in need. Through my friendship with Whitney I have been able to spend alot of time with Polly and have locked away several memories that will make me laugh till I die. One such memory was after Whitney and I returned from Africa, a place Polly's heart had always been invested but she was never able to go to, we had a real African meal for Polly. Along with some other friends who had been there we all dressed in our  African garb and cooked shima and greens to eat. As we were sitting at the table I am telling a story to Polly and she keeps asking me to repeat myself, So I take the hint and begin speaking rather loudly so she can hear me. She quickly grabs her ear and says "Meg, dear you don't have to yell!" Polly's quick wit and accurate analysis of the situation couldn't have been matched and the entire table fell into a roar of laughter. My last visit with Polly was in August when she told me I was having a boy... nailed it even before I knew, and that I should name him Abraham Lincoln. When Whitney told her that trip that I was pregnant she smiled politely at me and remarked about how "nice" that was. A moment later when I mentioned my husband she said "Ohh Praise the Lord I was praying for you and that Babe thinking you weren't married!"

Even though Polly was beginning to suffer from some memory loss in the end her reassuring hand grasp and precious smile always took me back to being in the 5th grade again looking up at one of Jesus' true angels on Earth.

Today as I celebrate my 28th birthday I am also grieving the loss of a true servant of Christ and Mimi whose love will be carried on forever in the legacy of her children and great-grandchildren. Last night Polly met her maker and what a beautiful reunion that would have been to witness. I can only imagine the conversations that Polly will be having this day as she is welcomed with open arms into Heaven. I am praying for Whitney, Beverly, Sam and many more who will miss her presence here on Earth and asking for peace as they walk through this journey without her.

Wedding Day 7: The Dance

When the Night has come and the land is dark

and the moon is the only light we'll see

No, I won't be afraid, oh I won't be afraid

Just as long as you stand, stand by me

 

So darling, darling Stand by Me, oh stand by me

Oh, stand, stand by me, stand by me

 

If the sky that we look upon should tumble and fall

Or the mountain should crumble to the sea

I won't cry, I won't cry, no I won't shed a tear

Just as long as you stand, stand by me

 

And darling, darling, Stand by Me

darling, darling, stand by me

Whenever your in trouble



Won't you stand by me, oh stand by me

(We both really wanted the NeedtoBreathe version of this song however we could never find a decent version of it since they only sing it at their live concerts and never recorded it. We decided to use the Phillip Phillips version instead.)

 

 

 We entered the ballroom where our guests were seated at a long table and immediately went into our first and only dance. We both had wanted to have this moment to dance together as newlyweds. Even though in the moment I was too worried about every one's eyes on me, looking awkward and feeling like the song was too long... dancing with my new husband was a moment I will never forget. The lyrics of this song very much define our relationship and commitment to one another. I still cry each time I hear it.